Chapter Eleven – Beaters and Cheaters
You know it already, but I'll say it anyway, NOT MINE. ALL JK ROWLING.
The next week passed without any major event, Ron was still not talking to Hermione, Harry and Draco. Everyone else thought he was completely out of order, with the way he had treated Hermione. No one talked to him, even some of the teachers; all he got were nasty looks, pointed glances and contemptuous sniffs.
Only one girl seemed to be paying any attention to him. A quiet Hufflepuff girl called Marianne Cares. She was Welsh. She had brown hair, just past her shoulders and green eyes that seemed to delve into yours, as if she was interested in everything about you. Ron felt grateful for this one girl, she was on his side. It wasn't that she condoned what he had said and done. It was just that she was naturally forgiving. She felt sorry for everyone, but hardly ever herself. She excelled at Charms and Care of Magical Creatures. Anything that would help other people, with limited impact to anyone else.
It was time for the Quidditch trials to be held. Draco was Slytherin captain, Harry was Gryffindor captain. They both thought it was a good idea to do them at separate times, but unfortunately the pitch was fully booked that week. Only one slot remained. They would have to share. When Harry took the sign up list down on the 7th of September, it seemed as though every person in Gryffindor had signed up. Draco was experiencing similar problems. They both copied out the list, extracting the first years and stuck it back up telling the people to come to the Quidditch pitch at eleven the next day.
The next day seemed dreadful for Quidditch. The air was heavy, the Sun was there but you couldn't see it, but worst of all, it was foggy so they would have poor visibility. It wasn't hot or cold. At least, they thought, it would test the players to the maximum. They knew players wouldn't play to their best today, which may leave them down heartened, but it would also be good for the captains to see what their team was capable of. Harry had sausages and bacon and headed down to the pitch. Draco, still shoving a pancake in his mouth, met him five minutes later.
They waited fifteen minutes, until everyone who was going to show up had arrived. They had split the Quidditch pitch in half. This meant that sound wouldn't travel to from one side to the other. They both used the amplification charm 'Sonorous.' Draco used the elemental plan, because it was simple and efficient and it was his only plan.
1. Groups of ten to fly round the pitch, whilst throwing the Quaffle to one another.
This helped find chasers. He would pick one from each group, and then they would do it in groups, then he would narrow it down again, this time only one group is left, and he picks the three best. They would be the Slytherin chasers. The rest of the hopefuls would go and sit in the stands.
2. In pairs, the beaters (a much less desirable job, as the risk of injury was much greater) would have to battle the bludgers, protecting the chosen chasers.
He would narrow the best of these pairs, and slowly work out who worked will with each other and who had which skills. He would then send the rest of the team to the stands.
3. Goalkeepers would go individually, the chasers would try and score goals.
When he had picked his top five, they would play penalty shootout, best of five. The winner was on the team.
After a gruelling two hours, one broken nose and what seemed like hundreds of tantrums, he had his team. He was seeker. Vaisey, Montague and Harper were chasers. Derrick and Bole became the beaters and Theodore Nott became keeper.
Harry finished his choices just before Draco, and he was also seeker. Geoffrey Hooper, Demelza Robins and Ginny all became chasers. Jack Sloper and Jimmy Peaks returned as Beaters. A new find called Peter Smith became keeper; he was particularly good at aiming the quaffle with his broom after saving it. He hadn't missed a single shot!
They unblocked the barrier in the pitch, and came together for a small match. Madam Hooch came out to referee, and no one took it too seriously. Harry beat Draco to the snitch, so the Gryffindor's won 310 to 120. Draco shook hands with Harry, and went off to the showers. Everyone else had already showered and went on their way, so he was alone.
He was shocked when he came out, wrapped in a tiny towel, to find Hermione sitting in his little room (a desk, a chair and a flipchart), waiting for him. He was so surprised he almost dropped the towel. She was wearing skinny jeans and a fun purple top from family guy. She said hello, and she told him how amazing his Quidditch playing was.
'I know, its good isn't it!' he joked. She grabbed a clean towel and flicked it at him. He jumped up in a humorous fashion, and she giggled at him. He grabbed his boxers and put them on. He dropped the towel and growled at her.
'I'm going to get revenge now.'
She squealed and ran around. He caught her and lifted her up, cradling her in his arms. She tried to kick her way out of it, but he was too strong. He turned the shower on and held her under it, by the time he let her go, they were both soaked. He realised that they both needed a change of clothes. He only had his underpants on, but they were soaked. He was tempted to dry them magically but neither of them could quite remember the incantation. He put his dry clothes on, and grew self conscious of the wet patch growing in his jeans. She used his towelling robe, and took her other clothes off because otherwise she would catch a chill; she only kept her underwear on.
He carried her up to the third floor, only letting her go when they reached the portrait. They both raced to the bathroom, but Draco was quicker. He locked the door, and started to laugh. He had a great idea.
'If you beg, I might let you in first.' He could almost hear her considering it.
'Please Draco!' He told her this wasn't good enough. She let out a full sigh, and thought of something better to say.
'Please sir, I'll do anything you want if you let me in first.'
He opened the door quickly, and winked. He was going to hold her to that. Anything. A very big word. He had some very good ideas. He realised that she had forgotten her clothes. They were still in the Quidditch changing rooms. He told her where he was going, and he set off quickly. He grabbed the clothes, but on the way back, took a detour to the kitchen to get some strawberries and cream, he thought that this was very romantic, and was sure she would appreciate it. Then he saw something terrible. Ginny. She wasn't with Harry. She was with Patrick Creevey. They were kissing.